Zach sighed, not surprised. Even when Jordan hadn't had friends on the inside, back before Cord hired him, he hadn't had a problem getting his hands on pre-release demos of their games. Zach waited until Jordan was gone. “What are you two up to?”
Chloe didn't look at him, hands shoved in her pockets. “I'm not allowed to tell. Don't worry; it's not bad.”
“Not reassuring.” Scott's comment echoed Zach's sentiments. “It's ten, by the way. Doors are opening.”
The earlier nervousness returned, pulsing through Zach's veins and sitting heavy in his stomach. He pasted a smile on and paced to the edge of the booth, watching the media and attendees spill into the exhibit hall.
And they waited. The minutes became hours. The occasional person came by and grabbed a demo disc off the stack, but didn't make eye contact with any of them.
Chloe sighed and leaned back against a nearby table, hands in her pockets. “How much longer till the courtesy suites open?”
Zach rolled his eyes. “One: no courtesy suites. Rae will kill me if I let you get drunk. And two: it's barely noon.”
Chloe scrunched up her face. “Great. Now I have a babysitter.”
Maybe mentioning Rae had been a bad idea. A whisper of longing floated through him. It didn’t feel right with her not there. Even if he didn’t miss her so much, she’d earned it as much as any of them.
“Excuse me.” A smooth tenor interrupted the light-hearted exchange. “I’m looking for a Scott McAllister or a Zach Johnston?”
Zach started to correct the older gentleman out of habit—except he’d pronounced Zach’s last name right. Nice change. He extended his hand. “I’m Zach.” And nodded to his left. “This is Scott.”
“Gentlemen.” The new arrival was about the same build as Zach and wore a tailored suit—silk probably—complete with cuff links and topped off with a leather briefcase. He shook everyone’s hands. “Grant Lent. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Zach’s smile froze. That never meant good things. And why did that name sound familiar? “I’d like to say the same.”
Grant gave a deep chuckle. “Do the two of you have a moment?”
“Sure. Step into our private office.” Sarcasm traced Scott’s reply, and he nodded to the empty space behind the wall of their booth.
If the tone bothered Grant, it didn’t show. His wide smile never wavered. “I won’t take you away for long.” The three of them crossed the short distance to out of sight. “I hear you have fantastic things on the horizon.”
Zach bit back the question on the tip of his tongue.
Scott didn’t. “Who told you that?”
Zach wanted to be bothered by the blunt approach, but at least it might mean an answer.
Grant shook his head. “The word is out, here and there. Thing is, I like what I’ve seen, and I’m impressed you’ve done so much with so little.” He pulled a card from his shirt pocket and handed it to Zach. “And I want in on the ground floor.”
No way. That’s why Zach knew the name. Grant owned one of the largest private investment groups in the country. He pocketed the card. He didn’t want to say this, but continuing the conversation would be a mistake.
“I’m sorry.” Scott spoke up first. “We’re not looking for funding. Whatever you heard must be skewed.”
Zach bit the inside of his cheek. He might not have been able to turn it down so easily. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or bad.
Grant didn’t flinch. “Completely understand. If anything changes in the future, hold onto my card.”
This was too easy. This man was amicable, polite, and hadn’t once talked down to them. Zach was starting to feel comfortable around him, and that made him nervous.
“Humor me, though,” Grant said. “If we’re not talking money, pretend I’m like anyone else you’ll meet today. My grandson loves these games. Tell me why he should play yours.”
“Because it’s awesomely unlike anything out there.” Scott didn’t miss a beat.
Zach shrugged. “Not how I would have put it, but pretty much.”
As the conversation shifted from one topic to another, Zach realized he and Scott were both getting along splendidly with Grant. It was the first time he could remember at one of these shows where he’d actually enjoyed a conversation with a suit instead of just chiseling on a smile to make it through the day. It felt good.
“Sorry to interrupt” —Chloe poked her head around the corner— “but we’re kind of slammed out here. You know, if you’ve got a minute or two?”
“I’ll let you go.” Grant shook their hands again, already stepping away. “My grandson will be thrilled to know I met you, and you aren’t assholes.”
Zach couldn’t help but laugh at the parting words. His smile was still genuine as they rounded the corner. And then he paused, eyes growing wide. Chloe hadn’t been kidding. Every single demo station was filled, and lines were forming. She was fielding questions left and right.
Two more guys approached, demo discs in hand.
“Hey, she was right.” The skinny one took his place in one of the demo lines.